Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Reasons To Ride A bike By Armani

I saw this video at Cycle Chic, from my reading list.
 I thought it might show several reasons to ride a bicycle!
And several reasons to follow 
someone on a bicycle!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Am I A Tramp?

There is always a method 
to my madness

first some dinner
and a few drinks



and then
you betcha!



and to think I learned it
all
from 
Walt Disney!

coffee time

ray

Monday, June 27, 2011

All Hail The Mighty Weed-Repost

A poetic follow up to the last post from a couple years ago.


!


Sunday, November 8, 2009
when did it start
the love of the lawn
endless sea of green
soft and tender
underfoot
natures carpet
to frolic upon
roll and play
used as feed
for many an animal
forage for a meal

in rolled in the weed
many shapes and forms
prickly or not
flowered or clinging
ground cover for some
spoiling the greenery
for many

yank pull cut dig
no stopping
the green vermin
stop it now
bring in the pro
a gunfighter of sorts
the weed killer
rode into town
with promises aplenty
worry no more
action it will take
machine or by man
lay down the spray
pellets by some
time and money
watch them die

but wait
like a swamp creature
from the deep
a lawn nightmare returns
jason could admire
a nightmare back
a summer scream uttered
didn't kill us all
badder then before
overcome the weak sister
lawn

let nature take its
course
do what it will
hail the mighty weed
and remember the 60's

grass is for smoking

Do Weeds Know We Are Having A Drought?

We are having the worst drought conditions
in thirty years

I swear that I am not a slacker
when it comes to yard work.
but pictures don't lie.

some pics from the front




this is a section that we will be putting down pavers




it would appear not 
a moment too soon


a weedy
gate view


my lighthouse


lonesome
foxtail palm
right now 53 inches high
when fully grown 35-40 feet!


Yes, I did the weeding.
I could hear them laughing at me.
"Run boys!" I heard one cry out.
"He can't get us all!"
They were right,
the bastards

coffee time

ray

Friday, June 24, 2011

A Father's Day Letter Repost

I think this got lost in the father's day shuffle. A letter from my daughter.

Daddy

Let me just start by saying that I am beyond blessed for the wonderful family that God has given me. My parents are extremely hardworking, honest, genuine, giving, beautiful people. I am Very proud of the woman they have helped me become. I will be forever grateful for all their efforts. It being Father's day and the fact that my dad enjoys writing, this is for you Daddy.

I have been asked more tan a few times who my role model is/was and why? Without any thought or hesitation, my answer is always "my daddy". So why? My dad is one of my favorite people!

My Dad...
Taught me how to throw a baseball, shoot a basketball, and catch a football. Never missed a violin recital, softball or basketball game or practice. He made sure to call me "nanie" in front of everyone ( when little she couldn't say Dana, came out nanie ) and then buy me a "marlin" slushie ( meaning it was teal in color ).

He made sure I saw the simple beauty of nature by watching the sun come up, even if that meant waking me up at 5 a.m.
He taught me how to tile a floor, paint a wall and plant a flower. He taught me how to ride a bike, tie my shoes, swim and drive a car.

He taught me how to spell by making me look up everything in the dictionary. ( I am not sure if that was for his benefit or mine ).
He defended my intelligence in elementary school by saying I wasn't too stupid to read. I just needed glasses. ( I was too stupid to read ).

He taught me not to gamble. But if I do, how to keep a straight face.
He taught me how to beat "Doom" on the computer And Nintendo!
My dad taught me how to play the drums on the dashboard and not to be afraid to dance and sing in public.

My dad taught me how to give me the last dollar in my pocket to someone in need. That there will be always be someone worse off than me.
My dad has shown me the power of love by offering a helping hand, a compliment, a hug, or even just a smile.
My dad has taught me that even though I was brought up Catholic, that it is important to make my own decisions and follow my own beliefs and what is in my heart.

My dad taught me how to judge someone by their actions. Not by their skin color or ethnicity.
My dad taught me the power of imagination and to keep reading, no matter how old I get.
My dad encourages me to run faster. Work harder. Be stronger. Mentally, physically.

My dad taught me through tough love and how to fend for myself.
My dad taught me to give everything my all.
Then he taught me how to pick myself up when I fall.
He taught me that it is okay that big girls do cry.

So Day. thank you for doing everything from eating my salad creations to building me a strong foundation in life.
Thank you for the fact that you have Never stopped believing in me. In return,I will Never stop believing in you!

Love,
Dana

Does it Matter?

With all the hustle and bustle of daily living

With the daily trial and tribulations we go through

With all the wonderful thoughts

With all the wonderful brilliant people

With all the information and sights

Does it matter what I write

and draw

and tell my thinking on a subject

or idea

or opinion

when people stop by

do they read

or skip

on their journey

to somewhere else

is my voice being heard

or is my sound being muffled

by the din of all the noise

sometimes I wonder

is there worth in what I do?

Thursday, June 23, 2011

My Sunset-Sunrise

last night sitting out in the front
of the house this was 
my view of the sky



It could be a picture
from anywhere
in the world


this time it
was mine



this morning as I walked
out to go to work
I saw this



looking a little further
I saw what looked like
three sisters

a nice way to start 
my day


now, of course, it is beer time!

ray

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Drug Therapy On TV

A commercial comes on. It is for the latest wonder drug. It can cure this or it can cure that.  A sad looking woman, looking lost, wanting to be happy, enjoy her family once more.
She is depressed or has a breathing problem or weighs too much or something.

Then another voice comes on to let you know that this same woman who is now smiling and hugging people could just as soon die from the very drugs that are used  to save her. The list is long and scary.

The bad things have already happened to some people who were in the test group that was used to get the ok from the FDA for the drug companies to sell and manufacture the newest miracle cure.

But people don't pay attention to the disclaimers. They wander in to the doctors office and want the new wonder drug. They don't know what it is for, but a friend of a friend told them...

A drug for something you think you have.  You have a problem. But you don't know what caused it. Or the drug can cause worse problems.

I am not saying that all drugs are bad, just to be careful out there.

We need you. I need you. We want you to smile again.

Ignore the "as sold on TV" ad.

ray

Monday, June 20, 2011

Storm Rolling In

I know all over the country the weather can get a bit nasty. But here in South Florida it can get stormy in a moment. Hey, we have a hurricane season. Some pictures that I took before the latest deluge.


we don't get the nice puffy clouds that let down a nice rain.
they look scary




when I first moved down here
I would watch in wonder




different direction
moving in from all directions



almost time



the rain came down for about 20 minutes
drainage is always a problem with part
of the driveway



gets kind of deep
ankle deep
gratuitous tummy shot




ah that's better



beer time

ray

A Father's Day Letter

Daddy

Let me just start by saying that I am beyond blessed for the wonderful family that God has given me. My parents are extremely hardworking, honest, genuine, giving, beautiful people. I am Very proud of the woman they have helped me become. I will be forever grateful for all their efforts. It being Father's day and the fact that my dad enjoys writing, this is for you Daddy.

I have been asked more tan a few times who my role model is/was and why? Without any thought or hesitation, my answer is always "my daddy". So why? My dad is one of my favorite people!

My Dad...
Taught me how to throw a baseball, shoot a basketball, and catch a football. Never missed a violin recital, softball or basketball game or practice. He made sure to call me "nanie" in front of everyone ( when little she couldn't say Dana, came out nanie ) and then buy me a "marlin" slushie ( meaning it was teal in color ).

He made sure I saw the simple beauty of nature by watching the sun come up, even if that meant waking me up at 5 a.m.
He taught me how to tile a floor, paint a wall and plant a flower. He taught me how to ride a bike, tie my shoes, swim and drive a car.

He taught me how to spell by making me look up everything in the dictionary. ( I am not sure if that was for his benefit or mine ).
He defended my intelligence in elementary school by saying I wasn't too stupid to read. I just needed glasses. ( I was too stupid to read ).

He taught me not to gamble. But if I do, how to keep a straight face.
He taught me how to beat "Doom" on the computer And Nintendo!
My dad taught me how to play the drums on the dashboard and not to be afraid to dance and sing in public.

My dad taught me how to give me the last dollar in my pocket to someone in need. That there will be always be someone worse off than me.
My dad has shown me the power of love by offering a helping hand, a compliment, a hug, or even just a smile.
My dad has taught me that even though I was brought up Catholic, that it is important to make my own decisions and follow my own beliefs and what is in my heart.

My dad taught me how to judge someone by their actions. Not by their skin color or ethnicity.
My dad taught me the power of imagination and to keep reading, no matter how old I get.
My dad encourages me to run faster. Work harder. Be stronger. Mentally, physically.

My dad taught me through tough love and how to fend for myself.
My dad taught me to give everything my all.
Then he taught me how to pick myself up when I fall.
He taught me that it is okay that big girls do cry.

So Day. thank you for doing everything from eating my salad creations to building me a strong foundation in life.
Thank you for the fact that you have Never stopped believing in me. In return,I will Never stop believing in you!

Love,
Dana

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Happy Father's Day!

Here is a repeat of a poem I did a few years ago

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Remembered today
thought from Kat
maybe missed
enjoyed for now
did something right
that they care
not just one day
or two

some presents
cards given
one made me laugh
one made me smile
one almost
made me cry

thoughts when young
holding hands
watching out
show them how
teach what I know
hope its enough
bumps and bruise
hugs will fix
help the hurt

try this and that
one plus one
soon they pass
grow on their own
talents hidden
rise to the surface

bigger faster stronger
maybe taller
beautiful
handsome
had a part
in the making

boy friends
girl friends too
some nice
some hurt
learn to trust
deserved ones

smart in school
smart in life
fundamentals
no short cuts
do it right
right thing to do

almost time
leave the nest
holding breath
hand always out
help on the way

can't do it all
tried my best
be dad forever
good times
bad times
be remembered
best times

happy
father's
day



Happy Father's Day
to all the Dads out there

We do the best with 
what we have
and our only hope is that you
kids
do better then us.

I am happy to be your dad!
That is a present all by itself!


sniff
sniff

ray

The Tree Has To Go

I have a dying tree outside my fence in my back yard. I never did like it because of the tremendous amount of leaves and seeds it dropped everywhere including in my pool. But it did offer some shade and I was reluctant to cut it down.

There is another small tree that is attached to it, using the old tree as a host to live on. It has probably hastened the demise of the other tree.


a different view


here you can see the small tree
growing on the side



I did have a visitor stop by.
I ran in to get the camera



It was not really happy to see me
and started to turn to leave



slowly at first it ambled away



as  it got closer to the water
it really picked up speed
running to the relative safety of the water

The water levels are way down
as the rainy season has been slow to start


I wanted to take a picture
as it went in but there was no time



the finished look for now.
It was hot out. The good news is that the
falling limbs did not damage the fence.
and I did not get knocked off the ladder
or get hurt.
That is a very good thing!


Of course there was cleanup
involved. Tree limbs can be very
heavy so it took time
but now it is ready for pick up on
Monday.



It was not an exciting day
but it was a successful day.


coffee time

ray

Thursday, June 16, 2011

The Versatile Blogger Award!



I would like to thank Shayla at http://shaylafish.blogspot.com/ ( The Inexplicable Rabbit ) for nominating me for this award. She is a talented artist, young and beautiful and has a wonderful and creative style.

I am totally surprised. I would like to thank the academy...pausing to allow picture taking...and to thank all the people behind the scenes that make all the work on my various blogs worthwhile.....waiting for the applause to die down.....or to start....cricket noises........

My first award ever.

But there are some rules to follow.

Award Rules:
1. Thank the person who gave you this award
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass the award along to 7 bloggers or more who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic for whatever reason! (in no particular order…)
4. Contact the bloggers you’ve picked and let them know about the award.

1.
I love the old style of writing where the thought process of constructing a meaningful sentence written to someone or in a story was so powerful as to leave one wanting more. A letter from Thomas Jefferson for example.

2. 
I wish I had the skill to make objects of beauty with my hands. A sculpture, a painting, a fine piece of furniture that would stand the test of time.

3.
I love comedy. The kind that leaves you in tears, gasping for air, rolling on the floor, unable to speak, and then it starts all over again.

4. 
I love the stillness of the early morning. Nature starting to stir, a nice breeze, night into day, the perfect time for me.

5.
I am a quiet person around strangers. But I force myself to interact on a daily basis to free up my personality and have fun.

6.
I am an information and knowledge junkie. Once I have a question on something, I will not rest until I am satisfied I know the answer. 

7.
I have a math phobia. Try to teach me abstract math and what I learn today, I will forget by tomorrow.

Now for my nominations

1.
You will enjoy her wonderful writings that depict her daily life's doing and her take on everything around her.
You will also see why she was awarded the Sexy Blogger award!

2.
The title pretty much tells it all. A tireless promotion to make the world a better place through bicycling. Wonderful photos in every post.

3.
Great commentary on the workplace, outdoor adventures and life in general.

4.
The humorous and daily life going ons as a grown up middle child.

5.
You will be spellbound while reading the life story of a former stripper. You will laugh and you will cry.

6.
If you love poetry, you will love the poetic wordings of Kat!

7.
You will love her witty observational humor from the heart of Las vegas.

There you have it. It has been fun. I will wear the badge proudly.

coffee time 

ray

Monday, June 13, 2011

Egon Schiele-Wally Neuzil in Black Stockings, 1912

side by side
or 
top and bottom
as it were



The 
original I found

Egon Schiele-Wally Neuzil in Black Stockings, 1912
Courtesy of Richard Nagy Gallery, London


my effort
I used Derwent watercolor pencils
and added a bit of water to bring out 
the color



glad to be back drawing

time for a big cup of coffee!

ray

also found on R Jacob Artwork

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Morning Rant

I see a country

where large pockets of racial bigotry and hatred are considered ok.

where backward thinking about the evolution of life is the right way to think.

where the rights of a woman are not considered her own rights

where the needs of a rich few are more important than the needs of society

where every religion thinks their religion is the chosen one

where controlling people is accomplished by infighting and jealousy

where economic disaster is used to keep people in line

where men without conscience are allowed to be in charge

where the playing field of life is never fair or level

where fear of loss is used to give up civil liberties gratefully

where lack of education is a plus to control the masses

where the constitution is being gutted and not noticed by most

where an economic crisis is planned to take what one has left

where water will be a tool to control countries and its people

where food will be a tool to control countries and its people

where the right to vote is limited and manipulated to achieve the end results needed

where the press, once used as a guardian of the people, has been gutted and silenced beyond all recognition

where the land of the free and home of the brave is an illusion and is neither

where money being spent does not exist

where social security funds contributed to by the masses has been stolen and to hide that fact, it is looked upon as an undeserved entitlement

where the saying " promises are made to be broken" is not a line from a song but what passes as a government practice

where manipulation of food quality is designed to hurt not to help mankind

where the quality of life in other countries is to be derided not emulated

where might does not equate right

where the image as a world power is an illusion

where world rights and there sovereignty  is being trampled upon and accepted as right

where the need to be accepted clouds independent thinking

where grotesque profit is the ultimate motivator

where corporations are considered people

where reality shows are considered important social commentary as opposed to cheap mindless entertainment

where sports figures are considered role models instead of spoiled pampered one dimensional characters

where being a teacher of children is considered very important until it is time to pay them to teach

where the internet is considered not a godsend but as a detriment against controlling people

where facts are omitted or manipulated to champion a cause

where mediocrity is considered something to aim for in life

where one doesn't rob a bank instead be a bank to do the robbing

where to not be held accountable for corrupt business practices must mean one owns a piece of Wall Street

where fast food giants write food processing laws

where big banks write banking laws

where large pharmaceutical companies write the drug laws

where companies have bankruptcy protection but people don't

where greedy and manipulative people are looked upon as role models

where having a conscience is considered a weakness

where the vulnerable are considered prey by the strong

where the scary science fiction stories of the past are no longer fiction

where machines are replacing people in the workplace because they have no needs

where creating three burger flipping jobs while losing one high paying job is considered an uptick in job
growth

I have more, but that is enough for now.

Hopefully this was  not too boring.

coffee time

ray

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Male Hormones

It happens to men too. No, it is not the long list of changes that women go through, the suffering to the body and mind that takes it toll.

Instead it is of the stealth variety that plagues men. The biggest culprit is the gradual loss of testosterone. It is a big factor in the gradual decline of ones health. Such problems as fatigue, depression, sexual problems are associated with the problem.

Men are loathe to discuss such things amongst their peers. It is one of those things that men do, to suffer in silence, that is the way we are.

Imagine the light inside a car left on and unnoticed. Left on on long enough, the slow drain gradually make the battery unable to turn over.  The problem is magnified over the years when the pounds start to add up, life styles become more sedentary, bad eating habits, lack of exercise and so.

Nope, we don't go through the night sweats and stuff, the hormonal imbalances and stuff. We don't want to go through it either. We can't begin to understand what is happening to you.

But we sufferer in our own way. Quietly. And it's no fun either,


ray

Monday, June 6, 2011

“16 Harsh Truths That Make Us Stronger”

“16 Harsh Truths That Make Us Stronger”
by Marc and Angel Hack Life Blog

“It takes more courage to reveal insecurities than to hide them, more strength to relate to people than to dominate them, more manhood (or womanhood) to abide by thought-out principles rather than blind reflex. Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles and an immature mind." - Alex Karras

  
 1. Life is not easy. – Hard work makes people lucky – it’s the stuff that brings dreams to reality.  So start every morning ready to run farther than you did yesterday and fight harder than you ever have before. 

   2. You will fail sometimes.  – The faster you accept this, the faster you can get on with being brilliant.  You’ll never be 100% sure it will work, but you can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work.  So get out there and do something!  Either you succeed or you learn a vital lesson. Win – Win.

 
  3. Right now, there’s a lot you don’t know. – The day you stop learning is the day you stop living.  Embrace new information, think about it and use it to advance yourself.
   
   4. There may not be a tomorrow. – Not for everyone.  Right now, someone on Earth is planning something for tomorrow without realizing they’re going to die today.  This is sad but true.  So spend your time wisely today and pause long enough to appreciate it.

   
5. There’s a lot you can’t control. – Wasting your time, talent and emotional energy on things that are beyond your control is a recipe for frustration, misery and stagnation.  Invest your energy in the things you can control.

   
6. Information is not true knowledge. – Knowledge comes from experience.  You can discuss a task a hundred times, but these discussions will only give you a philosophical understanding. You must experience a task firsthand to truly know it.

   7. 
You can’t be successful without providing value. – Don’t waste your time trying to be successful, spend your time creating value.  When you’re valuable to the world around you, you will be successful.

   
8. Someone else will always have more than you.  – Whether it’s money, friends or magic beans that you’re collecting, there will always be someone who has more than you.  But remember, it’s not how many you have, it’s how passionate you are about collecting them.  It’s all about the journey.

   
9. You can’t change the past. – As Maria Robinson once said, “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”  You can’t change what happened, but you can change how you react to it.

  
10. The only person who can make you happy is you. – The root of your happiness comes from your relationship with yourself.  Sure external entities can have fleeting effects on your mood, but in the long run nothing matters more than how you feel about who you are on the inside.

  
11. There will always be people who don’t like you. – You can’t be everything to everyone. No matter what you do, there will always be someone who thinks differently.  So concentrate on doing what you know in your heart is right.  What others think and say about you isn’t all that important.  What is important is how you feel about yourself.

  
12. You won’t always get what you want. – As Mick Jagger once said, “You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you might find you get what you need.”  Look around. Appreciate the things you have right now.  Many people aren’t so lucky.

  
13. In life, you get what you put in. – If you want love, give love.  If you want friends, be friendly.  If you want money, provide value.  It really is this simple.  

  14. Good friends will come and go. – Most of your high school friends won’t be a part of your college life.  Most of your college friends won’t be a part of your 20-something professional life.  Most of your 20-something friends won’t be there when your spouse and you bring your second child into the world.  But some friends will stick.  And it’s these friends – the ones who transcend time with you – who matter.

  
15. Doing the same exact thing every day hinders self growth. – If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.  Growth happens when you change things – when you try new things – when you stretch beyond your comfort zone.

  
16. You will never feel 100% ready for something new. – Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises.  Because most great opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zones, which means you won’t feel totally comfortable or ready for it.

And remember, trying to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.  Strength comes from being comfortable in your own skin.”

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